Augustine's Early Theology of Image: A Study in the Development of Pro-Nicene Theology (Oxford Studies in Historical Theology) - Hardcover

Boersma, Gerald P.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0190251360 ISBN 13: 9780190251369

Publisher: OUP USA, 2016

Synopsis

What does it mean for Christ to be the "image of God"? And, if Christ is the "image of God," can the human person also unequivocally be understood to be the "image of God"? Augustine's Early Theology of Image examines Augustine's conception of the imago dei and makes the case that it represents a significant departure from the Latin pro-Nicene theologies of Hilary of Poitiers, Marius Victorinus, and Ambrose of Milan only a generation earlier.

Augustine's predecessors understood the imago dei principally as a Christological term designating the unity of divine substance. But, Gerald P. Boersma argues, Augustine affirms that Christ is an image of equal likeness, while the human person is an image of unequal likeness. Boersma's careful study thus argues that a Platonic and participatory evaluation of the nature of "image" enables Augustine's early theology of the image of God to move beyond that of his Latin predecessors and affirm the imago dei both of Christ and of the human person.

About this title

Review

this monograph makes an important contribution to the field of Augustinian studies. It also accomplishes a rare feat: grounding questions pertinent to the history of ideas (for example the relationship between the One and the many, the distinction between eternal and created order) in the exegesis and ethics of Augustine as pastor and theologian. (Benjamin P. Winter, Saint Louis University, Journal of Ecclesiastical History)

Boersma's excellent work is a major contribution to the field which deserves a wide readership, as it will be helpful to scholars of Augustine and others who deal with early Christianity and late antiquity (Matthew W. Knotts, Scottish Journal of Theology)

The scope of this book makes for a compelling read. The author also deserves praise for his impressive effort from which very much can be learned. (Colten Cheuk-Yin Yam, Augustiniana)

[A] clearly argued and well-structured book...[a] valuable study. (Margaret Lane, Theology)

This book is highly recommended for anyone interested in learning more about the provenance and ingenuity of Augustine's image theology. (Joshua M. Bruce, Expository Times)

About the Author

Gerald P. Boersma is Assistant Professor of Theology at St. Bonaventure University.

Edition details

• Publisher: OUP USA
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0190251360
• ISBN 13: 9780190251369
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 336